SoNailicious Nail art, tutorials, nail care tips & the latest nail trends.

The Best 5 Bridal Manicures

May 17

Many of my friends are getting married this year. Of course, everybody wants to have the perfect wedding day with the perfect wedding gown, shoes, accessories, hairstyle and makeup. But some brides overlook the importance of the perfect bridal manicure. That’s understandable, it’s such a busy time. But a bride’s hands are in the spotlight so often throughout the big day that it’s essential to get your bridal manicure right before you pose for photos, throw a bouquet and of course, receive that ring!

To ease the task of finding your perfect bridal nail design, here are our best 5 bridal manicures:

1. Dazzling Manicure
If you want to look dazzling during your wedding day, then get a dazzling manicure to match. For the wedding ring itself, there are more than 250,000 diamond ring designs available at 77diamonds.com to help you select the perfect ring. To create a dazzling effect on your nails, opt for a silver glitter gradient combined with crystal adornments. Place them at your nail bed (as pictured, manicure by Whitney of DressedUpNails) or on the tips of your nails – both will look fantastic.

2. Ombre Manicure
Ombre nails is one of the most popular designs at the moment. It’s a subtle statement look for those of you who prefer minimalist chic. Use soft pink or light lavender and milky white shades to create the wedding perfect ombre effect. Manicure by Camille of Pshiiit.

3. Pearl Manicure
Some people prefer to wear pearl jewelry. If that’s you, try a pearly manicure. Sammy of The Nailasaurus created a perfect example – tiny pearls in a heart shape on the pointer finger and the other nails decorated with studs and glitter. For a simpler version, paint all nails in one base light pink or white shade and create one pearly accent nail (on the ring finger) of each hand.

4. Silver Manicure
You can go either for a silver metallic or silver glitter manicure. The new generation of 3D glitters (pictured NailsInc Maida Vale swatched by Pshiiit) are irresistible. Your bridal nails will sparkles brighter than all disco the balls in the reception room.

5. French Manicure with a Twist
If you’re looking for something classical and feminine, try a French bridal manicure. Simply add a thin silver glitter line at the nail tip. To take this look to the next level, add a small crystal in the middle of the silver line on each nail. Manicure by Surrey of ApolishAddict.

Pretty In Pink Caviar Nails and Lilac Chevron Nails
7 easy Valentine’s Day nail designs
The best 5 summer nails designs

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The Essential Cuticle Care Guide: What is cuticle?

May 16

Our Essential Cuticle Care Guide would be incomplete without this post about the cuticle itself. What is cuticle? While the answer seems to be so simple, many of us call a cuticle what is in fact the Eponychium! And that’s where all the problems start. Because if we don’t know what and where it is then how we can look after it properly?

Have a look at the chart below, see where the cuticle is? Now look at your nails, at the base of your nail precisely – the area where the nail meets your skin. The cuticle is the layer of dead, transparent skin that attaches itself to the nail plate as it sloughs off the underside of the eponychium. The cuticle overlaps the hard nail and touches the lunula. If you’re wondering what they do, or why you need them, have look at this article.

Image source: Nail-solutions

Now that we know what is cuticle it becomes apparent why trimming cuticles is a big no. Cutting them can break the seal that protects the surrounding skin from infection. Same rule applies to the eponychium. Don’t ever cut it! The eponychium protects the nail matrix (growth center). Trimming disturbs the function of the eponychium causing the body to react with a self-defense mechanism, similar to scarring. The cut tissue will be replaced with thicker, harder material. The more you remove the skin, the faster the body will replace it – thus creating an unhealthy cycle that may cause any number of nails infections.

Cuticles and eponychium should not be dry, thick and hard but soft, pliable and moist. If you get frequent manicures, your cuticles should be smooth and even, pushed back as far as they’ll go. If not, they may be ragged or creeping up on the nail. Either way, it’s a great idea to pay attention to these little friends as they are directly responsible for the health and strength of your nails.

So dear readers, did you know that what is usually called cuticle is in fact eponychium? What is your best tip for caring after cuticles?

3 easy steps to healthy cuticles
5 Best Cuticle Creams
The Body Shop Almond Nail and Cuticle Oil – review
5 best top coats
All Essential Cuticle Care Guide articles - here

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Summer Color Block Nails Tutorial

May 15

As requested by so many of you, here’s a step-by-step tutorial for the Summer Color Block nails we featured last week, here. It’s great summer nail design that is also quite easy to re-create. For consistency, just make sure the polish you choose to draw each stripe uses the same formula and brush, i.e. the same brand.

HOW TO:

Apply 2 coats of opaque white polish on all nails. Let it dry.
Cut thin strips from sticky tape and attach them on all nails as pictured. Make sure the sticky tape is attached properly to the nails (especially at the nail bed) otherwise the pattern will bleed.
Starting with lilac polish, paint one line across the nail in one stroke. Repeat on all nails.
Next to the lilac, paint one line with orange polish.
Repeat step 4 with all other shades until the space in the middle of the nail is covered. Make sure you estimate how many shades/stokes will fit on your nail, it really depends on how long your nails are or how you make the strokes.
When all strokes are painted, carefully remove the sticky tape and seal your design with a top coat. Done!

Used: SallyHansen 300 White On (base), pattern: Orly Mash Up collection polishes.

So how do you like this Color Block nails tutorial? Will you be trying this look? Make sure you tweet or Instagram us (tag it #sonailicious) if do, we’d love to see your version!

Happy Easter nail art with Orly Hope collection
Easy cloud nail art tutorial
Rainbow candy nails how to
30 Easy Nail Art Designs e-book

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Expert Advice – Top 5 Nail Art Tips For Beginners

May 14

We’re excited to announce the beginning of our new ‘Expert Advice’ series that will run as a part of the ‘SoNailcious Loves’ series. We’re even more excited to have the super talented Brie of “Strawbrie Salon” as our first Expert. Brie is located in Perth, Australia which is where she’s been running her business and painting her nails obsessively for the past year or so. She’s a fully qualified nail technician, spray tanner and eyelash tech too. She is also an instagram nail super-star. Remember, our Top 10 Nail Instagrammers post? Yep, Brie is the face behind the nails on mega popular @strawbrie Instagram account.

As Brie herself admits she is obsessed with nail art and today she shares her top 5 nail art tips for beginners:

“1: Everyone’s gotta start somewhere.

Hey! The “Mona Lisa” wasn’t Leonardo Da Vinci’s first attempt, right?! Heck, if you saw some of my earlier nail art you might just cry! Don’t be discouraged if your first try didn’t turn out as planned! Rock that mani & be proud! And besides, that’s what acetone is for right?! ;)

2: Find things that inspire you!

Look around! What colours do you like? Search “nail art” in google images, YouTube or in hashtags on Instagram & your eyes will be assaulted by all sorts of designs, both intricate & simple! Your imagination is your only limitation!

3: Invest in some basic nail art essentials.

Dotting tools, fine nail art brushes, rhinestones & decals. I literally just search these items on eBay & buy the cheapest ones. Not only will they inspire your creativity, but they are easy to use & cheap too! You can even get some brands of polish for $2.00 AUD.

4: Share your nail art with others!

Join Instagram, start a blog, have nail painting parties with a group of friends. Feedback is great & there’s nothing better compliments on your than getting hard work!

5: And this is the big one!… PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!!

I literally paint my nails EVERY night. I know this isn’t realistic for everyone, but even a regular mani on the weekend with some nail art is a chance to hone your skills! Not to mention a great way to pamper yourself!

And… Most importantly HAVE FUN!”

If you’re on Instagram and want Brie (aka @strawbrie) to check out your nail art, feel free to tag her @strawbrie. Brie is one of the friendliest #nailgirls you could ever meet.

Regarding the tips, we 100% agree with Brie – especially, on “practice makes perfect”. And, you lovelies, how do you like Brie’s nail art tips? What tip is the most valuable to you? What are your best nail art tip/s? Share with us, we’d love to know your opinion!

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L’Oreal Paris Autumn Nail Polish Collection – Review & Autumnal Nail Design

May 13

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Vernis Autumn Collection consists of 5 new polishes that compliment the existing shade range. The Autumn collection, which was inspired by precious jewels, is subtle and chic with grey and earthy undertones. We’re usually drawn to much brighter shades but we couldn’t resist trying an Autumn manicure with the new L Oreal Paris nail polish shades. Plus, here in the southern hemisphere, we actually are heading to autumn.

It’s quite easy to re-create, you’ll need 5 different polishes (L’Oreal or matching shades) in subtle, earthy shades and 5 large studs. Go for small studs if you have shorter nails.

If you’d like to read our review of the featured L’Oreal Paris shades, scroll down – it’s there waiting for you!

REVIEW:

Finish: Opaque, you’d need high shine top coat if you like glossy polishes.
Formula: Highly pigmented polish that evens out flawlessly. To achieve full coverage you need 2 coats. Except for 116 Creamy Angora (nude shade) – it’s very sheer you you’d need 4 coats. Also, drying.
Brush: Fantastic wide brush that makes it very easy to apply polish, even in one stoke.
Nail Art: These polishes (except for #116) would be great for any type of nail art. Can be used as a base or for details. #116 is too sheer for details but can be used as a base.
L’Oreal Paris nail polish – Autumn 2013 collection overall impression: Nice opaque nail polishes in subtle, chic shades. Perfect for a day to day wear, the office or for special occasions if you’re going for a classic look.
Available: now, at L’Oreal Paris counters – AUS $6.95 and US $5.99

So have you ever tried L’Oreal Paris nail polishes? What do you think? And, how do you like new shades?

Used: 622 Soft Chinchilla (grey beige), 114 So Chic Fox (brown red), 621 Paris Avenue (blue grey), 116 Creamy Angora (sheer light nude), 217 Rose Cashmere (dusty rose), studs from BornPretty store and Essie Good To Go top coat.

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SoNailicious Giveaway – 2 makeup and nail polish packs

May 12

As a token of our appreciation for your continuous support, we’ll be running a giveaway every month for SoNailicious readers. There will be a variety of different prizes so stay tuned, there is bound to be something you like!

Today we’re giving away these 2 beauty packs, each valued over $100. Each pack includes similar products, they some of our favorites, that we hope you’ll enjoy too. The difference is that one – for fair skin (1) and another – for more tanned skin (2).

Sounds exciting? Scroll down to find out how to enter – it’s EASY!

Pack 1 – fair skin, includes:

1. Glam Nail Wraps – blue, 2. Glam nail art pen 3 in 1 – coral, 3. Glam False Lashes – Twiggy, 4. Australia Mega Lash mascara – black, 5. BYS 3D glitter set in silver, 6. Maybelline polish – 200 Pink Shock, 7. BYS diamond glitter – N344 Opal, 8. Manicare Cuticle Oil Therapy (amazing product review here), 9. L’Oreal Caresse Lip colour – 400 Eve, 10. L’Oreal Nude BB powder 5 in 1 – Light Skin

Pack 2 – medium skin, includes:

1. Glam Nail Wraps – coral and pastel pink. 2. Glam nail art pen 3 in 1 – orange. 3. Glam False Lashes – Jessica (best in beauty winner). 4. Australia VoluptuLash mascara, black. 5. BYS caviar set – black. 6. Maybelline polish – 360 Sapphire Siren. 7. BYS diamond glitter – N406 Keys to Bentley. 8. Manicare Nail Defence – Ultra Hardening Treatment. 9. L’Oreal Caresse Lip colour – 102 Bomy. 10. L’Oreal Nude BB powder 5 in 1 – Medium Skin.

Sounds good? Well, one of these packs can become yours – enter now!

How to enter:

1. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to subscribe to SoNailicious Weekly Newsletter (below).*

2. Comment on this post letting us know which pack you’d prefer to win and why.*

Extra Points:

1. Share the first image on your Facebook wall by clicking the ‘Share’ button below the image or on your Instagram. Tag us in, so we can see you did – our Facebook page SoNailicious or instagram – @So_Nailicious #sonailicious.

The winner will be announced here (in this post) on Monday, 27 May 2013 and also contacted via email (from our subscribers list as at 27/05/2013).

Good luck!

Maria xx

PS. The giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY!

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Terms & Conditions 1. ‘SoNailicious.com Giveaway: 2 makeup and nail polish packs’ – open internationally. 2. To enter in this competition you must: a) be subscriber or subscribe to SoNailicious newsletter b)comment on on this post letting us know about your entry and preferred prize. *These are obligatory entries. 3. Extra Entry: share this image on Facebook or Instagram and tag SoNailicious in – our Facbook page is here and our instagram is @So_Nailicious #sonailicious. 5. Winners will be chosen on the above criteria and will be identified based on the most interesting comment. There will only be 2 winners. 5. One person can only enter once but can accumulate double points by sharing the first image. 6. Winners will be contacted via this post and email. 7. Prize pack valued – each RRP at AUS $100. 8. If the prize is not claimed by the winner within 48 hours, we will choose another winner. 9. Prizes will be posted to winner on 29 May 2013.

5 summer nails designs to celebrate the sun

May 10

These summer nails designs will brighten up your day even if you’re like us, in the Southern hemisphere heading towards winter. Bright shades and happy patterns are so fun to wear and always make a great statement regardless of the season. It’s guaranteed these summer nails will make you and everyone you meet smile. Seriously, how can you have a sour face if you wear or see a manicure like that? So let’s funk up our nails with a summer theme and celebrate the sun wherever in the world we’re.

The 5 best summer nails designs:

One of the most elegant nautical manicures we’ve seen. Camille of Pshiiit nailed it again!
Summer means tons of fresh berries and fruit. So here you go, fruit nails by yours truly.
Ombre nails in fun, bright shades is so summer-y. This manicure is a great example of various shades combinations you can try, or do all of them at once (as pictured) for an extra adventurous look.
Combine 5 different but corresponding shades in one polka dot look and you’ll get perfect summer nails. They’re easy to do too (with a toothpick). Great idea by Silverinator!
Forget about screaming fluoro neon shades, summer 2013 is all about new pastel neons. This manicure with studs and accent nail by Jill and Lovers is a perfect example of a simple yet chic manicure with new neons.

What about you lovelies, have you done any summer nails recently? Fancy to try some of the above designs?

In any case, Tweet or Instagram us photo of your summer nails and tag it #sonailicious, we’d love to see it!

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The Essential Cuticle Care Guide: Our 5 Best Cuticle Creams

May 09

The Essential Cuticle Care Guide is bringing its sexy back today and we’re looking at the best cuticle creams around. We all know how important is to care for cuticles and thus, we only want the best and most effective products for them. We’ve tested a great variety of brands to come up with the list below. We’re hoping it will help your cuticles to gain softness, suppleness and joy too! Joyful cuticles, why not?

Our 5 best cuticle creams:

Lush Lemony Flutter – the nail blogger’s favorite. It’s the thickest cuticle cream out there. Known for its ability to immediately moisten and soften dry cuticles. It contains fresh lemons that are blended in the rich butter base to brighten skin and lighten nails. Must have! AUS $16.50 here.
Kiehl’s Intensive Treatment For Dry Areas - in our case we’re going to treat our cuticles! Kiehls’s special formulation contains avocado oil, glycerin and shea butter, and helps to soften and soothe dry and cracked skin. This cream will sooth even the driest of dry. Available online US $26 here or AUS $32 here.
Sally Hansen Healthy Cuticles Now! cream – literally makes dry cuticles look healthy instantly. Plus, the inclusion of 4000 IU’s of Vitamin E helps prevent nail problems before they start. US $6.49 here.
Nailtiques Cuticle & Hand Conditioner - a lightweight, non-greasy, hand crème that is formulated to rehydrate and condition the cuticles. It contains a highly concentrated combination of pure aloe and jojoba oils that nourish hands and cuticles. From US $4 here.
Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream – an intensive natural treatment that contains lemon oil, vitamin E and sweet almond oil to soften and moisturize your cuticles as well as to strengthen nails. The lemon oil will make your nails feel refreshed, healthy and beautiful – US$5.99 here or AUD $14.85 here.

Have you tried any of these dear readers? What’s your favorite cuticle cream? Do you prefer oil or cream for your cuticles?

Related articles:
3 easy steps to healthy cuticles
The Essential Cuticle Care Guide: our 5 best cuticle oils
5 best top coats
All Essential Cuticle Care Guide articles - here

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ORLY Mash Up – Colour Blocking Nails

May 08

Wear the Orly Mash Up nail collection once and you’ll fall in love with it. While everybody else is focused on texture and holo polishes, true to themselves Orly has launched a completely different summer 2013 colour range. Don’t get me wrong, each of the 6 Mash Up shades is beautiful and right on trend.

The idea for this fun color blocking nail design was born out of some initial tests of shades we did to figure out which shades would go together. The design fits the mood of the collection and is perfect for summer. It’s clean yet includes colours and finishes that usually you wouldn’t see together on one nail. These colour blocking nails are a 100% Mash Up and we hope you like them as much as we do! orly mash up nail collection summer 2013 As for the new formula, Orly polish is a pleasure to work with, fast-drying, highly pigmented and evens out flawlessly. The Mash Up shades lived up to our expectations! Our only criticism is Pretty Ugly, Teal Shimmer, Choreographed Chaos and Bubblegum Pink Chrome are all quite sheer. To get full coverage you’ll need 4 coats. All the other shades only needed 2.

Used: SallyHansen 300 White On (base), pattern: Orly Mash Up collection polishes: Pretty Ugly (blue), Harmoniousmess (lilac), Mayham Mentality (neon orange), Beautiful Disaster (purple), Choreographed Chaos (pink).

Also, a few of you’ve asked where you can buy Orly nail polish? This collection will be available from August 2013. The other shades are in selected pharmacies or online here in Australia and in USA, here.

So, how do you like these Mash Up Colour Blocking nails? Will you be trying this design for yourself? Make sure you Tweet or Instagram us your version @So_Nailicious with tag #sonailicious, we’d love to see it!

Disclaimer: products were provided for consideration, opinions expressed are our own. Full disclosure policy can be found here.

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SoNailicious Loves: Kelly of Vampy Varnish

May 07

Vampy Varnish beauty and nail blog is one of the most respected in blogging community. Kelly started blogging way back in September 2008 and thanks to her fantastic sense of humor, informative posts and high quality imagery she has quickly made it to the top of the blogosphere. Vampy Varnish is always ahead of the curve when it comes to new swatches, nail polish collections or makeup. She typically posts 3 times a day. Another remarkable thing is Kelly’s nail polish collection, around 3,000 polishes (even though she purges every 6 months) and when swatching she can go through up to 30 shades in a day. Now that’s Dedication!

Today Kelly shares her nail secrets with us. Read on, lovelies!

Why nails?
I started off with nail blogging because I have been a nail polish fanatic for as long as I can remember. I branched off into including makeup on my blog as well after about 18 months because honestly, I love ALL makeup!

Favourite nail blogger?
Scrangie! She is my favorite because she’s one of the main reasons I got into nail blogging. I saw her blog when I was searching for a nail color one day and immediately fell in love. Plus she’s a super cool chick and we have a lot in common.

Your favourite sweet treat?
Cupcakes!

Nail care product you can’t live without?
Nubar Diamont Top Coat. Hands down my favorite top coat ever because it dries SO fast, is super shiny, doesn’t shrink, self-levels and stays scratch-free.

The best nail care tip?
Don’t clip your nails, file them down. I was a “clipper” until about a year ago. Then I realized clipping was causing splits more frequently. Now I just file them down and they look much better.

NAIL POLISH FAVORITES:

Favourite nail polish brand?
I can’t pick just one! Some favs are OPI (above OPI EuroCentrale swatches by Kelly), Zoya, Misa and Orly.

Favourite indie polish brand?
BB Couture because they have so many amazing shades. They are really underrated!

Best luxury brand?
Chanel. They just come out with some shades I can’t seem to live without.

Which brand has the best formula?
Illamasqua tends to have a really excellent formula with most of their shades.

NAIL ART:

The most adventurous nail art you have ever created?
I have created some pretty ridiculous things like candy sprinkles (using actual candies – 3), potting soil nails (using potting soil – 1) and sesame seed nails (2). They were all jokes, but it was fun doing it!

How do you get inspired for your nail art?
I am just getting into nail art and learning different techniques but I usually get inspired by seeing something else with a certain pattern or colors. Once I was inspired by a striped t-shirt (4) I had and more recently I did a neon paint splatter manicure similar to the purse in the TV show The Carrie Diaries.

You can find and follow Vampy Varnish beauty and nail blog:
Vampy Varnish Blog
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

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Nail art, tutorials, nail care tips & the latest nail trends.

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The Essential Cuticle Care Guide: Our 5 Best Cuticle Creams

ORLY Mash Up – Colour Blocking Nails

SoNailicious Loves: Kelly of Vampy Varnish

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